In the fall of 2020, a sexual assault allegedly occurred off campus involving two Baylor University students in Waco, Texas. The victim, Jane Doe, recalls being incapacitated at the time of the assault and did not come to a realization of what occurred until some time later. She then made a report in January 2021, first to the Baylor police department who immediately contacted Waco police to come in to take the report, because the assault occurred off campus.
On February 5, 2021, Jane Doe received a call from detective Michael Alston with the Waco police department. He informed her that he was closing her case having done no investigation. He never contacted the alleged perpetrator. He explained that he was closing the case because he personally did not believe that an assault occurred. In the first call, Detective Alston asked the victim why she waited so long to make a report. When the victim called the detective back to request clarification and a report in writing as to why her case was being closed, Alston, as heard on a recording (embedded below), proceeded to tell the victim “what happened” as he views it. He questions why she didn’t say “No” out loud even though the victim reports that she had been drinking and was incapacitated and could not give consent.
Silence does not equal consent.
Sign the petition: Removal of Waco Police Department Detective Michael Alston
If you’ve had a similar experience when reporting sexual assault to Waco police, Baylor police or other police/university departments, and would like to reach out, my email is below. Your identity will remain anonymous. You may also leave a comment on this post with your experience.
Amy Smith
watchkeepamy@gmail.com
